Describe the foreign policy principles that John Quincy Adams embedded in what became known as the Monroe Doctrine. What pre-existing U.S. traditions and specific events of the 1820's persuaded Adams and Monroe that those principles were both idealistic

Abstract

"We, the United States of America, should consider any attempt by the European powers to extend their system to any portion of this hemisphere as a threat to our peace and safety". Those were the words of President Monroe when he delivered his annual speech to Congress, on December 2, 1823. The speech was inspired from the ideas that John Quincy Adams had formulated during his tenure as ?Secretary of State' under Monroe's presidency. The rules that Monroe set out in his famous speech were to become the cornerstone of the U.S. foreign policy throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries. However the question remains as to what were the foreign policy principles that John Quincy Adams embedded in what came to be known as the Monroe Doctrine? What were the pre-existing U.S. traditions? What specific events of the year 1820 have convinced Adams and Monroe that those principles were both idealistic and realistic?